livin Trimdon Grange Local Offer 2012-15

With the community at heart

Equality and Diversity

livin aims to ensure that Equality and Diversity lies at the heart of our business and allows our customers to access high quality services tailored to their individual diverse needs. It is our policy to provide access to services and employment equality to all, irrespective of age, race or ethnic origin, gender, marital or family status, religious or philosophical belief or political opinion, disability, nationality or sexual orientation. As part of our commitment we, and our working partners, aim to treat everyone as equal citizens and recognise, support and value the diversity of the communities in which they live. Contact Us Communities Team livin, Farrell House, Arlington Way DurhamGate, Spennymoor, Co. Durham, DL16 6NL

0800 587 4538 (free from a landline) or 0300 111 2234 (low rate call from a mobile phone depending on your network)

contactus@livin.co.uk

livin.co.uk

Local Offer Trimdon Grange

Welcome to your Local Offer

Local offers are the standards set by you, our tenants, that we will use and monitor from April 2011. livin’s previous local offer has been completed and now pledges that in each community we will deliver the local offers or actions detailed in this document. Delivery of the local offers will be monitored by livin tenants. The local offers are based on what we have learnt from your community through producing 19 community plans in 2011 and 2012. The local offers have taken the previous actions from the community plans, remaining promises from transfer and your views to create a new set of standards and actions in your area. livin wants to provide, safe and attractive communities that people want to live and work in. The main Community Plan is still available on www.livin.co.uk and forms the basis of our knowledge about Trimdon Grange. The intelligence used in this Local Offer comes from a number of different data sources, including the 2001 Census, Experian Mosaic Public Sector Profiles * (locally based information) and from comprehensive consultation with local residents, groups and partner organisations. * This information groups together and classifies households with similar behaviours, characteristics and lifestyles.

Average house price : Population:

£60,642 1,903 livin homes: Average weekly income:

82 £400

Your communit y The communities of Trimdon Grange and Trimdon Colliery have a total population of 1,903 and the average house price is £60,642.1

The average weekly income is £400 which is £10 lower than the North East average. livin is the main registered housing provider for the community and owns 82 properties, consisting of two bedroom flats, one and two bedroom bungalows and two to four bedroom houses. 57% of livin’s properties are houses and 40% are bungalows. 69% of households own their own home, including 0.7% of households that live in shared ownership properties. 4.8% of households live in privately rented properties and 24.9% of households live in social housing (including livin properties).1

28% of households in the community are single persons, and 58% are couples or families.1

The community is served by Trimdon Parish Council and is part of the East Durham Rural Area Action Partnership. Services and facilities The community has no health facilities and limited access to shopping facilities. Travel out of the area is required for supermarket shopping, health care and for specialist goods and services. Trimdon Grange Infant and Nursery School is located within the village. The school has a good reputation and is seen as an asset to the village. It received an “outstanding” OFSTED Report in 2009.

The village has a popular Community Centre, providing a wide range of social and health based activities for local residents, including youth work. Residents feel that the Community Centre provides an essential role in bringing together local residents and helping to improve community cohesion. Mosaic profile intelligence indicates that the majority of households within the community are likely to access information and services through direct face to face contact, or through indirect contact via local newspapers. Transport links Residents say that the current public transport service does not meet their needs, making it difficult for them to travel out of the village for employment, further education and health services. Crime and antisocial behaviour Your local Beat Team have stated that the majority of issues reported from this community are in respect of youth ASB. However residents say that they are fearful of becoming a victim of crime or antisocial behaviour. Mosaic profile intelligence highlights that the majority of households living within the community will have an average to very high perception or fear of becoming a victim of crime or antisocial behaviour. Household groups living within livin’s properties are expected to have an average to high fear of becoming a victim of crime and antisocial behaviour within their local area. During 2011/2012, livin received no complaints of nuisance or antisocial behaviour in the community.

Employment The number of residents in employment or actively seeking employment is similar to the County Durham average. When compared to the rest of County Durham, higher than average numbers of residents are employed in personal services (for example, care assistants, leisure assistants) or as plant and machine operatives.1

In May2012 there was a higher percentage of residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance for up to six months when compared to the rest of County Durham. The majority of persons claiming Jobseekers Allowance were aged 16 to 49 years. During June 2012, 44.1% of residents that were claiming Jobseekers Allowance were 16 to 24 years old and 51.6% were 25 to 49 years old. This is higher than the County Durham average.1

Residents have told livin that they must travel out of the local area to access employment and training opportunities. Public transports links from the village make it difficult for some residents to access employment and training opportunities.

Health The general level of health in the community is poorer when compared to the County Durham average. The level of health related deprivation within the East Durham Rural AAP area (including Trimdon Grange) is high when compared to national figures. This will provide real challenges for livin and partner agencies when tackling health related issues and increasing employability and access to work for its tenant and local residents. In August 2010, 14% of residents that were claiming a key out of work benefit were claiming Incapacity Benefit as a result of disability or illness1. 1 This information relates to the communities of Trim don Grange and Trimdon Colliery. It has not been possible to provide community infor mation for Trimdon Grange only.

livin | with the community at heart

Your community issues :

Public transport Employment Fear of antisocial behaviour

Incidents of coronary heart disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (long term damage to the lungs) are higher within the community when compared to the rest of County Durham. Mosaic profile intelligence highlights there to be a high to very high likelihood of more than two thirds of households within the community being smokers. To access health services residents must travel to nearby Trimdon Colliery, Trimdon Village or Fishburn. Access to a pharmacy is also restricted, with the nearest being found in nearby Trimdon Village. Education 42.7% of residents have no formal qualifications. 9.9% of residents from the community are educated to degree level, this is lower than the County Durham average of 14.5%.1

Your community priority rating livin has been able to rate Trimdon Grange based on the issues that are important in your community. The areas needing the highest priority have been rated as BRONZE.

SILVER BRONZE

Community Issues Priority Rating 2011 - 2012

Priority Rating 2012 – 2013

Buying a house SILVER SILVER

livin housing lets SILVER BRONZE

Demand for livin housing SILVER BRONZE

Average repair costs per

property GOLD BRONZE

Long term unemployment

(6 - 12 months) SILVER GOLD

Average household income BRONZE BRONZE

Rent arrears SILVER BRONZE

Qualifications (5 GCSE’s Grade C & Above)

BRONZE BRONZE

Community environmental survey

SILVER SILVER

Overall community rating SILVER BRONZE

Your community priority rating explained Although ranked Gold there is a need to reduce unemployment for residents, specifically those aged 16 to 49 years which was identified through consultation but also further investigation of unemployment data. livin will need to explore the increasing cost of repair to our homes together with promoting and encouraging opportunities for education and training. There is also a continued need to improve money advice in the community to help raise income levels and reduce rent arrears. livin must work in partnership to find ways to improve the local environment. livin | with the community at heart

BRONZE

GOLD

SILVER we will plan actions to address the issues and monitor throughout 2012-2015

we will support and maintain throughout 2012-2015

we will take actions throughout 2012-2013

Buying a house In general, homes in Trimdon Grange are affordable for most households. Therefore this has been rated Silver. However, many residents will require extra support to access affordable housing in the community. livin housing lets and demand In any community you can expect to see people moving in and out of the area. Trimdon Grange has an above average amount of people moving out of livin homes. The reasons tenants have stated for leaving are varied. We have therefore given this issue a Bronze priority. We want our tenants to be happy in their homes and settled in their community, therefore livin must investigate the reasons why tenants choose to leave our homes. Demand for livin properties in Trimdon Grange has decreased over the past year. We have therefore given a Bronze rating to this. livin must find ways to increase the level of demand for our homes within the village. Education and training opportunities The percentage of residents with five GCSE grades (Grades C and above) is slightly lower than the County Durham average. We have therefore given a Bronze rating to this. The percentage of residents with a degree or professional qualification is also lower when compared to the rest of County Durham. livin is keen to help maintain educational opportunities for its tenants and local residents and aim to do this by working closely with local educational providers and community groups. Unemployment Long term unemployment of six month or more within the community is lower than the County Durham average. As a result this indicator has been rated as Gold.

However short term unemployment of up to six months is higher than both County and National averages. We have identified that people aged 16 to 49 are finding it particularly difficult to find jobs. livin is committed to supporting these age groups into work and will actively promote training, apprenticeship and employment opportunities through the livin Futures Partnership and by working in partnership with local community groups, agencies and local businesses. Household income The weekly household income in Trimdon Grange is estimated to be £10 lower than North East average. Therefore, this has been rated as Bronze. Mosaic profile intelligence indicates that it expects over 60% of households within the community are likely to have a net annual income of up to £24,999. livin is keen to help residents in Trimdon Grange that receive welfare benefits learn new skills to gain employment and increase household income. We aim to do this by working closely with community groups, agencies and local businesses. livin will also provide a dedicated Smart Money service within the community that can help provide information and sign posting about money and debt management to our tenants. Rent arrears The level of rent arrears in Trimdon Grange are higher when compared to the rest of livin’s communities. Therefore we have given this a Bronze rating. livin is aware that not all un paid rent is simply a refusal to pay and therefore will offer support and guidance again through our Smart Money Team to those residents but take robust recovery action against those residents who refuse to pay.

Local Offers Trimdon Grange

Local Offers livin’s Community Coordinator will identify livin tenants and refer them for employment training sessions. livin will deliver a signposting service to livin tenants aged 16 to 24 years with the aim of raising financial confidence. livin will work in partnership with Crimestoppers to address anti-social behaviour and crime and promote tools that will help tenants report those people responsible. livin will organise two Jobs Fairs in early summer and late Autumn 2013 to provide support to residents seeking to secure employment with transport to them if required. livin will work in partnership with Job Centre Plus and local employers to provide both work experience placements for residents and Employability Training around CV preparation, completing application forms, interview techniques and job search training. livin will develop a pre-apprenticeship programme for residents aged16 – 18 years, focusing on introductions to vocational training, employability training and work experience. livin will work in partnership with Durham County Council and local schools to encourage participation in local environmental initiatives. livin will publish its Environmental Assessment Annual Programme detailing the frequency and month(s) of inspection. livin will work in partnership with local health providers to support identified health priorities for the area. livin will work with Trimdon Grange Community Centre to help to increase the number of local residents using the facility.

livin | with community at heart

livin | with the community at heart

Full details of the methodology used for these ratings can be found in livin’s Community Plan for Trimdon Grange. To view or request a full copy of livin’s Community Plan for Trimdon Grange please visit www.livin.co.uk or contact us on 0800 587 4538 (free from a landline) or 0300 111 2234 (cheap rate from mobiles depending on your network).